Proposal for five colleges cleared Wednesday, September 28, 2005 | AY
The state Cabinet today approved a proposal to set up five general colleges in South 24 Parganas, Murshidabad, Burdwan and West Midnapore even as the chief minister stressed on job-oriented courses in these colleges. It was learnt that the chief minister was not at all satisfied as all these five new colleges lacked science subjects, computer sciences and even Honours courses. The chief minister is also aggrieved that these five colleges do not have proper college buildings. When Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee reportedly asked Mr Chakroborty, the higher education minister, why science subjects and vocational courses were not introduced, the education minister cited problems of fund and infrastructure in setting up laboratories. The chief minister reportedly asked the education minister to introduce at least Honours courses and more job-oriented subjects to help students find a better placement after graduation.
Dengue outbreak could be environment related Wednesday, September 28, 2005 | AY
Kolkata Municipal Corporation believes that the outbreak of dengue in Kolkata and its suburbs could well be a fall-out of global warming, precipitated by environmental changes and resulting in gradual shifts in the eco-balance. The number of those affected in the city over the past five weeks is at least 2,500, more than half the total cases reported from the State. Though the civic body is combating the spread on a war-like footing, taking steps to destroy the mosquito larvae at the initial stage, the spawning of the larvae in stagnant yet clean water could have an environment-related explanation. Over the years there has been a gradual destruction of greenery in the city, they plan to go in for more and more tree plantation and to take steps to protect the water bodies.
India Foils likely to revive facility at Kolkata Tuesday, September 27, 2005 | AY
India Foils Ltd, a company managed by Sterlite, is considering reviving its foilstocks producing unit at Hoera, Kolkata, which was closed two years ago because of management policy of not competing within group companies. The Hoera project was supplying foilstocks - the only raw material to its Kamarhati plant for foil manufacturing and directly competing with one of the group companies Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd (Balco). The leader of early nineties - India Foils is currently producing approximately 10,000-12,000 tonne of aluminium foils per annum out of India’s total production of approximately 100,000 tonne. This year they are expecting to breakthrough and are hopeful that they will turn towards profit.
Ban on Taslima Nasrin's book lifted Tuesday, September 27, 2005 | AY
A West Bengal has lifted a ban on a book by an exiled Bangladeshi writer two years after the state government banned it for allegedly offending Muslims. West Bengal Government banned the book, Dwikhandito, or "Split Into Two," by Taslima Nasrin in 2003, saying its harsh take on how women are treated under Islam offended Muslims and could cause unrest in the state, which borders Bangladesh. The book ban also came after an Indian poet, Syed Hasmat Jalal, sued Nasrin for allegedly making up a sexual relationship between them that she details in her book. But the Calcutta High Court lifted the ban and said the writer, without naming any religion, had made general observations in her book that religion was the root of all social ills and that she had never intended to specifically insult Islam. Nasrin fled her native country in 1994 after her first book, "Lajja," or "Shame," also about women living under Islam, angered Muslim hard-liners who threatened to kill her.
Myskina bags first title of year in Kolkata Open Monday, September 26, 2005 | AY
Russian top seed Anastasia Myskina ended her 2005 title drought by crushing Croatian Karolina Sprem in the Kolkata Open final on Sunday. The 2004 French Open champion beat her seventh seeded opponent 6-2 6-2, capping an impressive week without dropping a set. Myskina, the world number 12, raced to a 4-0 lead in the first set before Sprem broke back in the fifth game to edge to 2-4, but the fightback was all too brief. The Russian began the second set nervously to fall back 2-1 as neither managed to hold serve in the first four games. Myskina, who last year became Russia's first woman grand slam singles champion, was thrilled to secure her first title of the season.
WB govt felicitating Dev Anand Monday, September 26, 2005 | AY
West Bengal government would be felicitating, Actor and film-maker Dev Anand, with SD Burman Award in memory of the great music director in November. The film-maker who feels his banner 'Navketan' and SD Burman popularly called as Dada Burman are inseparable, said "Burmanda was a musical genius. I cannot think Navketan without him. He honoured me with his music." The senior Burman had given music to many a hit Dev Anand films like Jaal, Kala Paani, Guide, Jewel Thief, Kala Bazar and Prem Poojari. There may be great music masters but they should understand the film medium, the film music. Dada Burman was one such great musician," Anand said adding, "It is really an honour for me to get this award."
Tourism Malaysia wooes Indian tourists Sunday, September 25, 2005 | AY
Tourism Malaysia along with national carrier Malaysia Airlines and four city based tour operators have joined hands to introduce ''Kuala Lumpur Delight,'' an attractive package for Eastern India with Kolkata as the gateway. The package priced at Rs 12,999 would include return airfare between Kolkata-Kuala Lumpur, accommodation for four days and three nights in a star category hotel with breakfast, airport transfers and half day city tour to Kuala Lumpur. After the tourism fair ends on September 5, the package would be available for Rs 1000 additional charge and would be valid till September 28, 2005.
Myskina defeats Indian hope Uberoi Sunday, September 25, 2005 | AY
Top-seeded Anastasia Myskina knocked the last Indian hope from the draw Friday at the WTA stop in Kolkata, defeating Shikha Uberoi 6-4, 6-2 to advance into the semifinals. Myskina was joined in the semis by another Russian when No. 2 seed Elena Likhovtseva straight-setted Swede Sofia Arvidsson. Also into the semis were No. 7 seed Karolina Sprem (d. Czink) and unseeded Kaia Kanepi (d. Bammer) of Estonia. Lining up for the Saturday semifinals are Sprem vs. Likhovtseva (Sprem leads career meetings 2-0), and Myskina vs. Kanepi (first meeting). The doubles semifinals are Indians Uberoi/Uberoi vs. Czink/Fedak, and Russians Likhovtseva/Myskina vs. Mirza/Ruano Pascual.
Vidya Balan doing a bengali film Saturday, September 24, 2005 | AY
Vidya Balan will be working with Rituparno Ghosh in two films -- one Bengali and the other Hindi. Both the films by the famous Bengali director are being produced by the banner of Rama Entertainment. Rituparno Ghosh was very keen to work with Vidya and it was his idea to cast Prasenjit and Vidya opposite each other. They'll make a wonderful pair on screen. They are planning to start shooting for the Bengali film first, after which the Hindi film "London Summer" will follow."
Music World will have HQ in Kolkata Saturday, September 24, 2005 | AY
MusicWorld Entertainment Limited, the retail music chain of RPG Enterprises, plans to shift its headquarters from Chennai to Kolkata. Amongst all the Indian cities, Goenka pointed out that Kolkata also had the strongest market and appreciation for Indian classical music. Against an average of three per cent achieved in other cities, Indian classical music accounted for 10 per cent sales achieved in Kolkata. Saregama India Limited, the recording company of the RPG Group has the largest repertoire of Indian music titles in every Indian language from 1901 to 2005. The music industry's annual sales in the country is estimated at Rs 700 crore. Mumbai led the market break-up at Rs 120 crore, New Delhi was at Rs 100 crore while Bangalore was worth Rs 55 crore followed by Kolkata at Rs 50 crore and finally Chennai at Rs 45 crore.
Teachers gets bonus and their salary by month end Saturday, September 24, 2005 | AY
Over three lakh school teachers of the State on Puja, will get a special treat, their monthly salary and bonus by the end of September. The Education Department has already processed the bill, amounting to Rs 375 crore and covering all government and grants-in-aid schools. The salary bill, which is with the Treasury, will take at least a week to get cleared. It will then be disbursed to various schools in the city and the districts. Teachers are also likely to receive their annual bonus along with their salary. The total bonus will amount to Rs 25 crore and will cover both teaching and non-teaching staff. However, the State Government gives bonus only to those teachers who draw a monthly salary that is not more than Rs 8,400 (Basic plus Dearness Allowance). Another key issue, which was raised by the ruling CPI(M)-backed All Bengal Teachers’ Association (ABTA) last week, is the delay in payment of the Providend Fund (PF). Teachers associations still sceptical about the State Government’s promises, since they receive their salaries only once in two months.
Cervical cancer detection now at cheap rates Saturday, September 24, 2005 | AY
An automated software has been developed by the computer science department of Jadavpur University with the assistance of the head of the gynaecology department, Burdwan Medical College, to detect cervical cancer. According to them, this will bring down the cost of a cervical cancer test to just Rs 5. The software does not need the help of a pathologist either. Most labs now already have a computer and a microscope. All they have to install is a digital camera, which costs between Rs 25,000 and Rs 30,000. The slides can be tested at a faster pace by using this automated software. The camera is used for transfering the content of the slide from the microscope into the computer. If you use something which acts as a conveyor belt, more slides can be tested without manual help. The developers of the software are now looking for financial assistance to make it availabe on a commercial basis.
Ganguly said he would speak to BCCI, if asked Saturday, September 24, 2005 | AY
Cricket skipper Sourav Ganguly, reportedly criticised by coach Greg Chappell as "physically and mentally unfit" to lead the team, today said it was a "sensitive" issue and would speak to cricket board if asked. In the email, Chappell is reported to have said that Ganguly has no physical and mental fitness to continue as captain, was creating differences among team members and his attitude was not ideal for India to strive for the 2007 World Cup. BCCI, which has confirmed receiving an email from Chappell, would discuss it at a meeting of high-powered committee in Mumbai on Monday.
Prostitutes number increasing in Kolkata Saturday, September 24, 2005 | AY
A large number of prostitutes, many of them college students in the age group of 19-21 years, are reportedly trooping into Kolkata from other parts of the country to earn some fast bucks just before the Durga Puja festivities start. Over the past one-and-a-half month, officers of the anti-rowdy section of the detective department have arrested 14 girls, including college students, from Delhi, Haryana and Bangalore in the city. All the girls admitted that they had consciously got into prostitution as a ‘‘part time’’ job to make quick money. They reportedly charged Rs 5,000-10,000 per night from their high-profile clients. Investigations revealed that several ‘‘modelling agencies’’ in the city arranged accomodation in guest houses and provided clients as well. Others are said to solicit clients at discotheques. Operating through mobile phones, many of the clients are high-profile businessmen.
AOC launches its products in Kolkata Wednesday, September 21, 2005 | AY
Taiwan-based TPV Technology, a five billion dollar monitor company and promoters of AOC brand worldwide, launched its entire range of products in Kolkata. The launch in the east was advanced from 2006 in view of the current boom in the IT sector. AOC had shipped over 1.1 million monitors in India through OEM route in 2004. The company has operations in South America, Europe, china, Singapore and Malaysia. Though AOC has not fixed any targets for itself, it hopes to sell 25,000 monitors in the first four months (ending December 2005) Going national by January 2006, it expects to market over 1 lakh units in a year. It has appointed Delhi-based Vision Enterprises as its national distributor to take its product into the market. Vision would in turn appoint regional distributors across the country. TPV Technology is very optimistic about the Indian market and its growth rate.
Sania into the second round Wednesday, September 21, 2005 | AY
Sania Mirza has opened her Sunfeast Open campaign in Kolkata in style with a straight-sets victory over Junri Namigati of Japan. Mirza looked in solid form, dropping just four games for the match in a 6-2 6-2 victory over Namigati. Italian Maria Elena Camerin, seeded fourth, ended the hopes of another Indian however, cruising past Rushmi Chakravarthi, 6-2 6-0, and in to the second round. Mirza outplayed Namigata by breaking her serve twice in each set. Mirza, at No. 34 India’s highest ranked player ever on the WTA Tour, broke Namigata in the fifth and seventh games of the opening set, and then in the first and seventh games of the second. Camerin clinched the opening set by breaking Chakravarthi’s service in the eighth game and then swept the Indian opponent away in the second with three successive breaks.
Beeyu Overseas intersted in tea gardens of West Bengal Tuesday, September 20, 2005 | AY
Beeyu Overseas Limited said that it is keen to acquire tea gardens in West Bengal and for that few units had been already short-listed. Beeyu currently has tea gardens in Tamil Nadu. The company had applied for National Stock Exchange (NSE) listing. Beeyu's shares are listed on Calcutta Stock Exchange and Stock Exchange, Mumbai. Beeyu had also bid for joint venture with a public quoted company in Sri Lanka, which has four tea factori es and 2,000 hectares of plantation. Through this joint venture, Beeyu would be able to expand its market in Sri Lanka. Beeyu, which was exporting coffee to Russia, was also planning to enter into an agreement with Tata Coffee Limited.
Pradesh Congress joins hands with Trinamul Tuesday, September 20, 2005 | AY
Pradesh Congress chose to gang up with Trinamul Congress hoods to disrupt the hearing of the delimitation commission at Kolkata on September 8. At the prestigious Mahajati Sadan in central Kolkata, where the delimitation commission hearing was held, proceedings were disrupted within a short while with the worthies of the two Congresses, Pradesh and Trinamul, vying with each other in the act of throwing chappals and other objects at the commission’s members on the dais. Commenting on the unfortunate turn of events, CPI(M) Bengal state secretary Anil Biswas reminded that ‘it was the Pradesh Congress that started the criminalisation of politics in Bengal back in the 1970s, and the wings of that counter-democratic line are currently busy wrecking democratic norms once again in a state that is looked upon with respect by the rest of the country as a bastion and an advanced outpost of democracy.’ Anil Biswas has called upon the people of Bengal to maintain the democratic environment and to isolate the political outfits engaged in assaults on democracy.
Alzheimer’s disease needs to be enlightened among people Monday, September 19, 2005 | AY
To create awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other related causes of dementia, two documentary films were screened to a select audience in the city today. The films were screened by the Kolkata chapter Alzheimer’s And Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI), an NGO affiliated to Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI,UK), which, in turn, is officially affiliated to the World Health Organisation. It aims to reach out to a vast section of the population suffering from this disease, on the eve of World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21. The memory clinic will provide day-care for the victims of Alzheimer’s and other causes of dementia. It will also give professional training to all aspiring volunteers. ARDSI has invited all sorts of voluntary help including from the government. The clinic will cater not only to those afflicted in the city, but patients from throughout the country. Shockingly enough, West Bengal has about 40 lakh people over 65 years (the optimum age for Alzheimer’s attack) with 80,000 of them suffering from dementia. Kolkata itself has about 46,000 dementia patients. There is greater cause for alarm as statistics suggest that in around 25 to 30 years, India will have the largest number of Alzheimer’s patients in the world. The sad fact is that Alzheimer’s is a disease that impairs the cognitive faculty, thus damaging the distant memory functioning. There isn’t any cure for Alzheimer’s, so all that’s needed to alleviate a patient’s suffering is giving him wholesome care and love.
IIHM, Kolkata sends students to UK Monday, September 19, 2005 | AY
Kolkata based International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), a premier hotel management institute of the country is sending a record number of 70 IIHM students to UK this year to complete the three-year Degree course offered by the Institute. International Group, one of the largest private education bodies in the Eastern Region runs centres of higher learning in hotel management, IT education, business management etc. IIHM, part of the International Group in collaboration with Queen Margaret University College (QMUC) and Napier University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK provides the students the unique opportunity to complete their third year in QMUC or Napier University.
Scientists find new pulsar Sunday, September 18, 2005 | AY
Ending a long astronomical search, team of Indian and British scientists has finally found a celestial body called pulsar, which has long been missing, from remnants of a star that exploded hundreds of years ago. The discovery of this pulsar has been made by a student from the National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, scientists from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Pune, and Mullard Astronomy Observatory, Cambridge. The discovery has been made in India using an Indian telescope called Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT). A pulsar is a rotating neutron star that generates regular pulses of radiation. A neutron star is a very compact star - only 10 to 15 km in radius, but contains as much mass as the sun. It is a remnant of Supernova explosion - death explosion of a massive star in which gravity causes the central core of the original star to collapse into a compact ball, composed primarily of neutrons. Since pulsars are neutron stars that are thought to be produced from collapsed stellar cores left behind in Supernova explosions, it is natural to expect Supernova remnants to harbour young pulsars.
Elephants becoming too costly to maintain Sunday, September 18, 2005 | AY
Wildlife reserves, plan to make elephants an integral part of eco-tourism, to recover the cost of maintaining them. On an average an elephant needs approximately 2,300 dollars annually for their upkeep. P.T Bhutia, Chief Conservator of forest (wildlife) of Bengal said that, maintenance of these elephants are very, very costly and that they are thinking of introducing these elephants in the elephant camps in the areas like Gorumara, where they can introduce the public, tourist to these elephant camps. In doing so they might recover some maintenance. Officials said that, if any person who wants to use these elephants for eco tourism and has enough infrastructure,they are even ready to sell it to them. An elephant census in West Bengal earlier this year indicated a rise in number of the animals. The Asian elephant is an endangered species. It is relentlessly poached for ivory and elephants have almost vanished from China and Southwest Asia.
Eight killed as bus falls off bridge Saturday, September 17, 2005 | AY
A packed bus plunged off a bridge yesterday onto railway tracks killing at least eight people and injuring 33 in Kolkata. The accident took place at Bally, 25km northeast of Kolkata. Thirteen of the injured passengers were in serious condition. A railway official said train services were disrupted for more than three hours until the bus was removed. The accident occurred at around 10.45am near Bali Halt station in Howrah district when the crowded bus on route number 79 fell off the bridge. Reaching Bally Halt at about 10:15 am, the bus driver attempted to bypass the long queue of vehicles in front by crossing over to the adjacent lane meant for oncoming traffic. When faced with another speeding bus heading towards it, the driver veered the bus off the bridge, breaking the railings and falling onto the railway tracks below.
Sania facing threats Saturday, September 17, 2005 | AY
Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza will receive extra security after an Islamic group opposed to her on-court dress threatened to stop her from playing in WTA event. Muslim clergymen have denounced the 18-year-old player for wearing skimpy skirts and colourful sleeveless tops on court, which they say are un-Islamic. The teenager has emerged as one of India's most visible sporting icons following a sensational year in which she has climbed to 34 in the WTA world rankings. Mirza has refused to be drawn on the controversy over her clothes and is scheduled to play in Kolkata beginning on Monday, despite the call by a powerful Islamic group to stop her. The group, Jamaat-e-Ulema-e-Hind, has warned that its members would try to prevent Mirza from playing if she did not wear "proper clothes." Scores of police officers are being deployed at the indoor venue for the tournament. Spectators will be frisked and will have to pass through metal detectors to enter the stadium.
Sanhit polymer gets ISO 9001:2000 certificate Saturday, September 17, 2005 | AY
Sanhit Polymer, a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film-manufacturing unit, has been awarded ISO 9001:2000 certification. Sanhit Polymer, located here in Birbhum district, was the first extrusion film plant in eastern region to be awarded the ISO 9001:2000 certification. Sanhit Polymer, the first Haldia downstream unit in Birbhum district, was set up in 2002 and has a capacity of 1,800 metric tons. The group is setting up another unit to manufacture polyethylene shopping bags, garbage bags and woven sacks liner at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore with a 5,000 metric tons capacity.
Dengue disease fought by a fish Saturday, September 17, 2005 | AY
Dengue, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, has killed about 50 people and affected hundreds in the past few weeks in the eastern state of West Bengal where authorities are struggling to control the disease. Health authorities are using colourful aquarium fish with a taste for mosquito larve to fight a dengue epidemic. Health officials have released thousands of gambusia and guppies — small, brightly coloured freshwater fish popular in home aquariums in ponds, lakes, wells and stagnant water where mosquitoes breed. Guppies eat mosquito larvae and help in checking the breeding rate of mosquitoes. These fish are being used successfully to fight dengue.
IIT keen on Bengal biotech park Saturday, September 17, 2005 | AY
IIT-Kgp is open to forming joint ventures with companies participating in the biotech park in West Bengal. S Dey, professor and head of the department of biotechnology of IIT-Kgp, said that the premier institute currently has 38 global patents in the area of biotechnology and now wanted to utilise it. The institute has patents in the areas of phyto chemicals, industrial enzymes, diagnostics, bioinformatics and biomaterials. According to Dey, IIT-Kgp has already spoken to 20-25 companies for biotech park.
Cricket academy in Kolkata Thursday, September 15, 2005 | AY
Kolkata will soon have a cricket academy to train budding talent in the age group of 10 to 17. The Bengal government has allotted the five-acre KMDA ground in the posh Salt Lake area to the academy called Videocon School of Cricket where budding players will rub shoulders with top stars of Bengal cricket. Initially the cricket academy will have 500 students with one dedicated coach for every 20. Although Videocon will be the sponsor, it is going to be managed by Sourav Ganguly's Twenty Two Yard sports company and Sourav will be the chief coach as and when he can afford the time. The cricket school will be formally inaugurated on October 5 and the stars that are likely to grace the occasion include the Videocon brand ambassador Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukherji, Sachin Tendulkar and of course the Prince of Kolkata, Sourav, himself.
SC admits SLP against Kolkata doctors in negligence case Wednesday, September 14, 2005 | AY
The Supreme Court today admitted a petition challenging the Calcutta High Court judgement acquitting three doctors on charges of criminal negligence for the death of a NRI woman. The order was passed by a Bench comprising Justice B N Agarwal and Justice A K Mathur on a Special Leave Petition filed on behalf of US-based doctor Kunal Saha, whose wife had died due to the alleged negligence of the eminent doctors of Kolkata in May 1998. The NRI doctor has challenged the High Court verdict setting aside trial court judgement convicting and imposing three months rigorous imprionment to two doctors -- Sukumar Mukherjee and Baidyanath Haldar. The trial court had convicted the two doctors on May 29, 2002.
A software to monitor sponge iron plants Wednesday, September 14, 2005 | AY
The West Bengal Pollution Control Board has devised a portable software system for monitoring whether the sponge iron plants in the state comply with the norms of the board. Currently, some 39 sponge iron manufacturing units are operational in the city, producing 2.1 million tonnes of sponge iron. A majority of the units are seeking permission to double the present production capacity. The portable system called Environmental Compliance Monitoring and Control System (ECMCS) monitors the parameters the sponge iron units have to follow and compares them with that of the actual plant operations. In case of non-compliance, the interlock is activated to stop the raw material feed to the rotary kiln. The software was pilot tested on September 5, 2005 a kiln at Durgapur, which has a 100 tonnes capacity per day. The sponge iron units are highly polluting industries as they are coal-based. According to the state pollution control board, some industries are not using their electrostatic precipitator (ESP), the main device to control air pollution, especially night time and during holidays.
Rajarhat to get Salem health city Tuesday, September 13, 2005 | AY
In a clear signal that the original project — the Kolkata Special Industrial Zone — will be broken up into segments to improve its viability, Rajarhat has been chosen as the site for the proposed health city to be built by the Indonesia-based Salem Group. This decision was finalised at a Left Front (LF) meeting yesterday. According to LF sources, its proximity to the Dum Dum Airport was the main reason why they chose Rajarhat instead of a site in South-24 Parganas, as originally planned by the Indonesian giant. According to sources, 14 private companies have already evinced interest in the project. The Salem Group will be in charge of building the overall infrastructure, including the roads. Government sources said the groundwork for the project would be completed in a month. This includes identification of the land and its demarcation.
Buddhadeb Dasgupta's film to be world premiered Tuesday, September 13, 2005 | AY
In a rare honour for a film director, the prestigious Toronto film festival will screen Kalpurush (Memories in Mist) by internationally-known film director Buddhadeb Dasgupta, the fourth of his movie to be screened in the masters section of the festival since 2000. The film, starring Rahul Bose and Bollywood actress Samera Reddy, will be screened for four days in the festival on September 14, 15, 16 and 17. The Toronto screening would mark the world premier of the film which delves deep into ever-transforming human equations between a parent and his ward. The film, based on the poet-director's own story, features a protagonist who has his own take on how to carry on life's battle amidst the escapism of his own people. Acknowledging that no Indian director had his film screened so many times in the 'Masters' of Toronto, Dasgupta said while "Swapner Din" (Chased by dreams) was world premiered in the festival in 2003, "Uttara" (The Wrestler) was shown in 2000 and "Mando Meyer Upakhyan" (Tale of a Naughty Girl) in 2002. "Swapner Din," which fetched Dasgupta this year's best director award and was world premiered in last year's Toronto, revolves around the relations among three persons who chase different dreams in course of their journey.
Fate of a historic Metro cinema hall decided on Sept 13 Monday, September 12, 2005 | AY
Acting on a request from the agitating employees of the cinema hall which is incidentally also a heritage building, the labour commissioner of the state government has called for a tripartite meeting on September 13 to decide on the fate of the cinema hall. Interestingly, West Bengal minister for labour Mohammad Amin expressed ignorance about the whole episode of the closure of the cinema hall where the father of Bengali cinema’s matinee idol Uttam Kumar once worked as a senior officer. Two tripartite meetings had already been held to break the impasse, but in vain. The employees had been agitating for an increase in their pay and recruiting more people for the hall. The hall authorities said no to their demands.
Minister probing the anomalies in the fee structure of the schools Monday, September 12, 2005 | AY
Followed by complaints from guardians who had to pay abnormally high tuition and admisison fees, often not commensurate with services provided by these schools, the ICSE and CBSE schools in the city are now saddled with a six-page questionnaire sent by the Director of School Education, which is probing the anomalies in the fee structure of these schools. The questionnaire seeks to know whether the schools have a permanent or temporary No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the State Government, whether the managing committee has teacher as well as parent representation, details of teacher appointments like qualification, experience, subjects taught, and remuneration as of September 1 this year. The schools are miffed that the questionnaire seeks details of service provided, like library or canteen facilities, laboratories, books, extra-curricular activities, playing ground, and even whether there is a waiting room for parents. Interestingly, while the State Education Department wants to bring ICSE and CBSE to book, their audit system for dealing with government schools is less than perfect. An audit for government funds provided to these schools is held once in every three to four years only. As for non-government funds, there is no tuition fee and the session fee of Rs 150 per year is nominal.
Kolkata port trust proposes new trade with Bangladesh Sunday, September 11, 2005 | AY
The Kolkata Port Trust has proposed to the Centre to consider establishing an inland water route from Kolkata dock to Narayanganj in Bangladesh as the new trade route betw een the two countries. The port authorities had raised the issue at a recent meeting with the representatives of the Union Commerce Ministry. KoPT Chairman A K Chanda said the Container Corporation of India (CCI) has dispatched two containers full of wheat through this inland water route to Narayangunj on an experimental basis. The containers are to reach Narayangunj today. The problem is that there is lack of a proper container handling facility, which needs to be set up.
MP involved in gang rape Sunday, September 11, 2005 | AY
The mother-in-law of a rape victim identified a Left party MP as one of the rapists in a West Bengal district court. According to the public prosecutor, Rabindranath Chattaraj, the woman on Friday identified All India Forward Bloc MP, Bir Singh Mahato, as one of the five men who had raped her daughter-in-law on November 20, 1982, in Parshidi village of Purulia district. Chattaraj said on television that the woman had told Purulia district sessions court special judge Subhas Chandra Chattopadhayay that she had been gagged and tied up and her daughter-in-law taken to another room and raped. Mahato, an MP from Purulia, vehemently denied his involvement on television on Friday. He claimed he had been framed.
Rickshaw pullers strike against ban Saturday, September 10, 2005 | AY
Hundreds of rickshaw pullers on Friday went on a hunger strike here demanding withdrawal of the West Bengal government's decision to ban hand-pulled rickshaws from the city's streets. There are about 100,000 people who depend on the trade for their meals. There are about 24,000 rickshaw pullers for the 6,000-odd rickshaws (licensed) that ply in Kolkata. The chief minister had said the government wanted to replace hand-pulled rickshaws with either three-wheeled ones propelled by better technology or auto-rickshaws. There should be an alternative arrangement for livelihood of those engaged in pulling hand-pulled rickshaws. Hand-pulled rickshaws were first introduced in Kolkata in the late 19th century by Chinese traders, primarily to carry goods. But India's British rulers made them the cheap mode of transport in 1919 and soon they became a symbol of the city like trams.
Kolkata hospital researches on a historic CT scan Saturday, September 10, 2005 | AY
A French paleontology team is currently in Kolkata to study the only homo erectus skull found in India to find new insights into the over half million year old fossil, which has baffled Indian scientists for over 21 years. The scientists hope the CT scan data will allow then to complete the severely damaged and delicate skull by using advanced compute simulation. Having gotten valuable insights into brain formation and structures like inner ear and sinuses, scientists could even be able to make complete 3D image of the specimen, which initially was mistaken for years as of a man known as the "Narmada Man". Scientists now know this sample of the Homo Erectus, which they say is the missing link in our evolutionary history coming between the four-legged mammals and the present day Homo sapiens, is actually a young woman, possibly a pigmy. Researches say the closest link in the modern day would be of the Andamanese or Onges in India's far-flung archipelago. Widely disbursed in the time frame of 1.8 - 1 million years ago, Homo Erectus, was the first species to migrate from Africa during the Pleistocene glacial period.
Tata sponsered cancer hospital in Kolkata Friday, September 9, 2005 | AY
Tata Group is setting up a 150-bed super-specialty cancer hospital modeled on the lines of the renowned Tata Memorial Cancer Research Institute of Mumbai here in Kolkata. The Tatas had announced the project a year ago, but negotiations had dragged on over the pricing of the land and the location. The first phase will be complete in 18 months and they have already spent Rs 10 crore on the project. At any time, 2.5 million people in the country suffer from different forms of cancer. Thousands of cancer patients from Bengal head to Mumbai and to hospitals in the South for treatment in the absence of advanced cancer care facilities in the State. The city currently has only three dedicated cancer hospitals.
2 Pakistanis win first round matches Friday, September 9, 2005 | AY
Two Pakistanis won their first round matches of the Kolkata International Squash Championship. Basit Ashfaq, ranked 106 in the world, pulled an upset when he downed world number 48 Gavin Jones of Wales 11-4, 2-11, 11-7, 11-10 in 52 minutes in the $20,000 championship. World number 69 Khayal Muhammad toppled world number 41 Englishman Ben Garner 11-10, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8 in 50 minutes. In a most thrilling first round match, world number 43 Alister Walker knocked out Pakistan’s Yasir Yasir Butt 8-11, 11-1, 11-6, 7-11, 11-10 in 64 minutes. Australian Cameron Pilley lived up to his world number 29 status when he beat Pakistan’s world number 53 Arshad Iqbal Burki 11-6, 11-4, 11-10 in 21 minutes.
State promoting organized tourism plans Friday, September 9, 2005 | AY
With a view to highlight the tourism potential of Kolkata and West Bengal, the state tourism department has organised a three-day long exhibition in the city. Inaugurating the exhibition, minister in charge of tourism, Dinesh Chandra Dakua, said that, in the last five years, tourism in West Bengal has been on the rise, a 300 per cent growth rate has been recorded. However, a lot of work needs to be done. The focus is on domestic tourism, as most people living in the state have not seen most of the districts. This exhibition is a perfect platform for all the districts in the state to showcase their attractions. He also said that tourism is a great income generator, and it sustains local arts and crafts. The success of tourism in West Bengal depends to a large extent on how the state is marketed and packaged. Hotels will have to play a big part in this and will have to follow the lead of hotels in other countries. According to the minister, last year, a total of 1,23,80,389 domestic tourists and 7,75,694 foreign tourists visited West Bengal.
Dengue epidemic in W.Bengal Friday, September 9, 2005 | AY
West Bengal Health Minister Surya Kanta Mishra today admitted that 16 people have died from the recent viral fever in the state, of which 10 were confirmed to be dengue cases. Mr Mishra told that about 1,052 suspected cases of dengue had been detected in and around Kolkata. The minister was here to preside a high-level meeting of the three districts health officials of Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling to take stock of the situation and taking preventing measures. He said medical kits for detecting dengue were sent to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital today and health camps will be set up to monitor the situation. He said Siliguri had reported some cases of dengue last October, hence preventive action was taken against the disease.
Gigabyte technology conducts SI program Wednesday, September 7, 2005 | AY
Gigabyte Technology India will conduct series of Gigabyte System Integrators Program (G-SIP) on Intel 915 & 945 chipset motherboards and ATI graphic cards for assemblers, system integrators and all Gigabyte Premium and Value partners. These programs are intended to increase the awareness of their products among SIs and assemblers. It is targeting 25 cities across the country. The program will run through September and October. The training program will throw light on installation techniques, product roadmap, unique features of Intel 915XX, 945XX series platforms and ATI product lines. At the event, key personnel from Gigabyte will share important technology updates, along with future technology and trends. It plans to hold training programs in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Baroda, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Cochin, Delhi, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nashik, Pune, Surat, Trivandrum, Vishakhapatnam and Varanasi.
CM calls for use of alternative energies Wednesday, September 7, 2005 | AY
Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today called for making use of non-conventional energy resources in helping the remote areas of the state get power and also to save precious fuels like petrol. There are many remote areas in the state like parts of Bankura and Purulia where reaching conventional energy is almost impossible. So, there is a need to depend on these energy resources for making the power available to them. Bhattacharjee said that indiscrete use of natural resources could spell doom to the world, adding that the fantasy seen in movies and novels such as rising water of the Atlantic washing away New York City had some realistic and scientific basis.
Coal gassification project in W.Bengal Tuesday, September 6, 2005 | AY
GAIL (India) has decided to invest Rs 750 crore in a coal gassification project in Haldia and Durgapur in West Bengal and Talcher in Orissa. The project is likely to have a coal handling capacity of 2,000 tonnes per day, which in turn, will produce gas to the tune of 3.4m metric standard cubic metres per day. The state chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee assured Gail of full support to set up plants based on coal gassification technology. Gail will use the Shell Coal Gassification Process (SCGP) to produce synthesis gas or ‘syngas’. The process allows use of high ash content coal, as prevalent in India. Incidentally, this is the first time that the Shell process will be used in India. A detailed feasibility report on the project is currently being prepared by Uhde India in collaboration with its parent company, Uhde Gmbh, Germany, and is expected to be ready by October ’05.
Finals of Kolkata International 2005 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 | AY
As the country’s first ever major squash meet, the Kolkata International 2005, got under way, Indian attractions Ritwik Bhattacharya and Saurav Ghosal, the country’s top two players, are hogging the limelight, with the latter’s upcoming clash against top seed Mohammed Azlan Iskander dubbed as the final before the final. While the competition started off with the qualifiers today, it was a mixed day for the host nation. India’s No. 1 Ritwik earned a bye in his opening qualifier at the Calcutta Racket Club (CRC), moving into the second-round qualifiers. In contrast, under-13 world champion Ramit Tandon had a bad day in office, crashing out of contention in the opener against fancied Tony James of Australia. Ritwik, who was the runner-up in the last Nationals, will fight it out tomorrow for a main draw showdown. He is slated to face Gavin Jones of Wales. But it is Wednesday’s big match that has become the Two-Star PSA meet’s talking point. With current national champion Ghosal taking on the might of World No. 15 Iskander, this match is set for an interesting finish.
Environment studies causing tension among teachers Monday, September 5, 2005 | AY
The Supreme Court’s ruling last year making environment studies compulsory in schools has landed the State Government and private schools in a fix. Schools are faced with an acute shortage of teachers, though students will have to take the compulsory paper for Madhyamik (2006) and ICSE/CBSE (2007). The State Education Department, which has at least 13,000 schools under it, is not in a position to hire specialised teachers for the subject. ICSE and CBSE schools, on the other hand, do want to recruit teachers but are at a loss to find qualified and trained teachers. They would have ideally liked to hire teachers who have MSW or MSc, but now they have no option but to train teachers from Biology or Chemistry since time is running out. The other problem is creating extra classes for environment studies. While NCERT talks of lightening the burden on students, it has introduced a new subject. Teachers are now curtailing classes devoted to library and games to accommodate environment studies. As for the students, they can soon hope to learn more about the water table, about noise and sound pollution, about solar energy along with algebra and geometry in the classroom.
Unique surgery performed in the city Monday, September 5, 2005 | AY
An eye foundation in the city, claims 'Microphakonit', be a great leap in the cataract surgery in the world. BB Eye Foundation conducted this new surgical technique today. The operation was telecast live for the delegates of a workshop in Kolkata, which was watched by 300 ophthalmologists. This surgery, says the foundation, will make it possible for a patient to get the cataract removed in 20 minutes flat and get back to normal life soon. The new surgical method is minimally invasive, allowing for quicker recovery time and promising better results.
CM to tone down the reforms tune Sunday, September 4, 2005 | AY
Under pressure from Centre of Indian Trade Unions (Citu) and Kisan Sabha representatives in the politburo, the CPI(M) today asked West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee to acquire only that much agricultural land as was necessary for the new township projects like the one proposed by the Salem group of Indonesia. Though the party backed Bhattacharjee’s industrial and foreign direct investment (FDI) policies, some members said the tone adopted by him could lead to a misunderstanding over the direction the party was taking. According to sources, the Bhattacharjee government had acquired 14,000 acres of land for the project, while only 5,000 acres are required. The party also said there was no compromise on principles if FDI was invited to develop infrastructure, upgrade technology and no flight of capital was involved. Former West Bengal CM and senior CPI M leader Jyoti Basu has argued that if the government gives an assurance that navaratnas will not be divested in future, it might be better to participate in the co-ordination committee and pressure the government to radicalise its programme from the inside. The matter is likely to be debated further in the 70-plus member Central committee.
SAI, Kolkata edge past Stephen’s Sunday, September 4, 2005 | AY
The Sports Authority of India (SAI), Kolkata weathered a tough resistance from St Stephen's Academy, Sector 45, to a secure a 2-1 victory in the Chandigarh Junior Challenge Football Cup (Under-17). SAI boys scored a late winner in the second half to move ahead in the match played at Sector 17 Football Stadium on Thursday. Surjit Sarkar put SAI, Kolkata ahead in the 25th minute. Sahil Behl equalised for St Stephen's after the change of sides in the 36th minute. But a late strike from Mithun Shree in the 69th minute signalled the victory for Kolkata team.
Pinaki Mukherjee passes away Saturday, September 3, 2005 | AY
Pinaki Mukherjee, popularly known as Panuda, a filmmaker of the ‘third kind’, made a silent departure. His major hit film as an assistant director was Dhuli, a sort of superhit film with Suchitra Sen in the lead. It should be mentioned that Pinaki Mukherjee was not very much sure if he could survive after the flop of his maiden film Madhya Rater Tara, which was based on pure narrative with a different mind. In the recent times, Panuda often used to stay at the Salt Lake and frequently exchanged views on the current trend of Bengali cinema. He looked very disturbed by the current trend of Bengali films which made ‘minus heart and soul. Mukherjee was a man of few words and strict discipline, who never allowed himself to appear ‘pale’ even when he was passing ‘frozen times’ till he breathed his last.
Metro rail stations on alert Saturday, September 3, 2005 | AY
At the findings of a pair of big tusks followed by an air pistol from the Dum Dum station in the last couple of days has put the Metro Rail security authorities on high alert, leading to tightened security measures at all the stations. Investigations revealed that person who was carrying the weapon, dumped it on the platform, apprehending to be caught while passing through the metal detector. The Railway Protection Force and constables from the Kolkata Police, who guard the entry and exit points in the wake of the bomb blasts in London early July, have been directed to be extra vigilant. Strict orders have been issued on routine vigil on the 18-km track for explosive check every night. The authorities are considering to install additional close-circuit cameras at entry and exit points. There is also a talk going on for deployment of scanners, though no final decision has been taken.
Kolkata safe on roads Friday, September 2, 2005 | AY
According to the Kolkata police, the city has a density of 814.80 vehicles, the highest among per km road length as compared to 766.31 for Mumbai, followed by 616.58 Chennai and 170 Delhi. Kolkata traffic police has been successful in attaining a travel speed of almost 19 km per hour, which is amazing under the circumstances. Kolkata police's achievement is to be seen in the backdrop of the major constraints of a burgeoning population, growing number of vehicles, limited road space, regular processions, demonstrations and road blockades by political groups. The bulletin said though there were 31 per cent accidental deaths in India, Kolkata was considered safer both for motorists and pedestrians. A comparative study of fatal cases in four metro citiesduring 2003 and 2004 said Delhi topped in accidental deaths with 1801 in 2003 and 1782 in 2004, followed by 567 and 588 in Chennai, 394 and 534 in Mumbai and, 442 and 420 in Kolkata. The state government recently decided to ban hand-pulled rickshaws and hand carts, operating under the hackney carriage act.
Strike by SRFTI in no mans land Friday, September 2, 2005 | AY
With the director of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), passing the responsibility on to the Governing Council (GC), the strike called by the students have reached a dead end. Abhay Srivastava, the director of SRFTI, said that discussions and negotiation on the demands made by the students were on, and that he expected the deadlock to be resolved soon enough. However, he refused to elaborate on what he considered as positive signs, saying that he did not wish to state anything that had even the slightest chance of upsetting any progress that may have been made over the past few days. Trouble at SRFTI started a week ago, over the issue of allocation of extra funds for a student project. While the students said that the authorities were unwilling to accede to their basic demands, the authorities declared that the students were asking for more than what was stated in the Institute’s guidelines, that were framed when the Institute was established ten years ago.
Buddhadeb Bhattacharya finds support from his party Thursday, September 1, 2005 | AY
Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya has found support from his party's top leadership, CPI-M Politburo, in his initiatives to secure Foreign Direct Investment. Bhattacharya, a CPI-M Politburo member, has not only to carry the party with him but also to resolve differences and confusion among party hardliners, the CPI-M trade union, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, and its allies in the Left Front over inviting FDI and transferring agricultural land to foreign industrialists. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indonesian business house Salim Group will be projected as a major success for the CPI-M in attracting foreign investment that will benefit both the people of the state and also foreign investors. The CPI-M leadership is backing Bhattacharya with party General Secretary Prakash Karat,its top leader, and its spokesman Sitaram Yechuri saying Prime Minister Manmohan Singh needs to follow the West Bengal model of land reforms and pro-people FDI participation.
American giant Ford promoting tourism in Bengal Thursday, September 1, 2005 | AY
ABF International, the investment wing of Alfred Ford’s Ford Scion, announced its first investment scheme of Rs 300 crore to promote religious tourism West Bengal. The investment that will be done in a Vedic Planetarium, a village industries park and a tourist Hospitality complex. This is the first time that American giant Ford has decided investing in Bengal. The new projects are expected to raise the number of tourists. The investments are expected to be done in three main projects. The first is a Village Industries Park on 22 acres of land in Nadia district of West Bengal. In this park, villagers will be provided vocational training and agro industries like food processing will be promoted. Both skilled and semi- skilled labourers will be absorbed to run the village. Second, a tourist Hospitality Complex, first-of-its-kind in West Bengal, will be constructed on 19 acres of land near to Mayapur Iscon Center. The third project, a Vedic Planetarium, will showcase Vedic science and cosmology.
